Revisiting Cabin John Woods

It was relatively warm today, so I paid another visit to Cabin John Park in Bethesda, Maryland. I painted a scene like this about seven weeks ago, in warm afternoon light. Today there was some sun, but it was not as intense, and the woods seemed more subdued. I painted this quickly; it took about two hours.

Geoff Watson, “Cabin John Woods in January,” oil on linen, 12” x 24,” 2018.

Here’s what I did in December. Not quite the same vantage point, and different light.

Geoff Watson, “Cabin John Woods in December,” oil on linen, 12” x 24,” 2017. 

Cabin John Woods

Again it was warm enough to paint outside, so I grabbed my big wide 12x24 linen canvas and drove around looking for a spot to paint. I stumbled on these woods, off Bradley Boulevard, near Potomac, Maryland. I loved the warm afternoon light flooding the scene, so I set up and went to work.

This is only the second time I’ve painted with a large-ish canvas outdoors, and I think it suits me well. The large support forces me to use large brushes — size 10 and 12 flats and filberts. And I made myself use them for just about the entire 2-1/2 hour session. The result is a less literal, more painterly first draft. I’m pleased with it. I’m tempted to sign it and call it a day, but I’ll probably go back tomorrow to refine things and add detail.

Geoff Watson, “Cabin John Woods,” oil on linen, 12” x 24,” work in profress, 2017.

Just for fun, here’s a photo of an earlier stage of the painting on the easel.